Three main stages of drug addiction with symptoms

Psychologists and experts in addiction medicine define drug addictionas a disease characterized by both physical and psychological health impairments. According to the A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia drug addiction is "a pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment in physical and mental functioning." Drug addiction is conventionally divided into three stages:

Drug addiction stages - first stage

First of addiction stages is a psychological dependence on drugs (stage ofPreoccupation/Anticipation), which is characterized by the following symptoms:

The constant craving for the drug. An overwhelming desire to use the drug of choice to relieve the state of psycho-emotional stress preoccupies the user despite the other responsibilities and events in his/ her life.

Second stage and symptoms of drug addiction

Is the stage of intoxication. This stage is characterized by the further worsening the above mentioned symptoms of drug addiction and appearing the new ones:

The growing tolerance. The longer the drugs are introduced into the body the larger amounts of drugs are necessary to continue experiencing the same euphoric effects. The increased doses of the drug (binging) push the effects of intoxication to a dangerous level.

The emergence of binge use(systematic alcohol or drug consumption for two or more days in a row).

The emergence of withdrawal syndrome – uncomfortable, very often disruptive physical and mental condition that happens when the body is sharply deprived of the psychoactive substance that it is used to getting. The clinical picture of withdrawal syndrome varies and mostly depends on the type of the using substance. The most common symptoms of drug addiction and opioid withdrawal include the constant, deep, exhausting pain in muscles and bones all over the body, sensation of almost unbearable inner cold, frequent cold-and-hot flashes, shivering, sneezing, watery eyes, sweating, cramps in stomach area, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restless legs, increased nervousness and irritability, sleep disorders, insomnia, and etc.

Drug dependence symptoms in third stage

Third stage of drug dependence is the stage of Physical, Mental and Social Degradation.

Presence of irreversible pathological changes in the internal organs and systems of the body (liver failure due to toxicity and viral hepatitis, toxic encephalopathy, immune system disorders,, AIDS, etc.).

Development of dementia and other drug related mental disorders. The chronic use of certain drugs increases the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in later life. Currently available evidence indicates that heavy, long-term drug consumption is likely to have a negative impact on cognitive function. Longer-term smoking of marijuana is associated with increased risk of intellectual deterioration and possibly schizophrenia and dementia. The chronic use of benzodiazepines and psycho-stimulants also leads to increased risk of cognitive impairment. For example, 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, (MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy), produces the long-term deficit in serotonin function in the brain, resulting in mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Chronic drug abuse by adolescents during formative years is a particular concern because it interferes with normal socialization and cognitive development and thus frequently contributes to the development of mental disorders.

Social degradation by drug dependence: loss of marriage, family; spoiled interpersonal relationships; degradation in professional skills and activities and as a result the problems with employment and financial issues; problems with law-abiding.